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Cape Forchu Lighthouse facts for kids

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Cape Forchu Lighthouse
Location Cape Forchu
Nova Scotia
Canada
Coordinates 43°48′25″N 66°9′30″W / 43.80694°N 66.15833°W / 43.80694; -66.15833
Year first constructed 1839 (Original Lighthouse) 1961 (Current Lighthouse)
Year first lit 1840 (Original Lighthouse) 1962 (Current Lighthouse)
Construction reinforced concrete tower
Tower shape hexagonal tower with balcony and lantern
Markings / pattern tower with white and red vertical stripes, red balcony and lantern
Height 27.7 metres (91 ft) (first)
30 metres (98 ft) (current)
Focal height 38.4 metres (126 ft) (first)
35 metres (115 ft) (current)
Intensity 1,000,000 candela
Range 30 nautical miles (56 km; 35 mi)
Characteristic Fl W 14s.

The Cape Forchu Lighthouse is a famous lighthouse located in Cape Forchu, Nova Scotia. It stands about 11 kilometers away from the town of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. This lighthouse helps ships navigate safely along the coast.

History of Cape Forchu Lighthouse

Building the Lighthouse

The first lighthouse at Cape Forchu was built in 1839. It started guiding ships in 1840. This original building was taken down in 1961. A new lighthouse, known for its "apple core" shape, was built in 1962.

The Fresnel Lens

The original Fresnel lens from the lighthouse is very special. It is now kept at the Yarmouth County Museum. You can see it there since the year 2000.

Leif Erikson Park

Around the lighthouse, there is a large area of rocky land. This area is about 19 acres big. It is home to Leif Erikson Park. The park has a beautiful walking trail. From the trail, you can enjoy amazing views of the ocean.

Becoming a Heritage Site

On June 1, 2000, the Cape Forchu Lighthouse became very important. It was the first working lighthouse in Canada to be given to a local town. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans transferred it to the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth. They sold it for just one dollar. This was part of a program to let local groups take care of lighthouses.

The lighthouse became a registered Heritage property for the Municipality in 2001. Then, in 2003, it was also recognized as a Heritage property by the Province of Nova Scotia. This means it is protected because of its historical importance.

Cape Forchu Lighthouse Today

Visiting the Lighthouse Grounds

The 19 acres of land around the lighthouse are open to everyone. You can visit them all year round. The old light keeper's house is also a Heritage property. It is open from May to September. Inside, you can find The Keeper's Kitchen restaurant and a gift shop.

Featured in Film and Stamps

In 2018, a movie called The Lighthouse was filmed in the park. Famous actors Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson starred in it.

The original lighthouse, which was taken down in 1961, was featured on a postage stamp in 2022. This stamp was part of a series called "Vintage Travel Posters." The stamp showed the old lighthouse as it appeared on a poster from 1950. This poster was designed by Peter Ewart to promote "Canada’s Picturesque East Coast."

See also

  • List of lighthouses in Canada

External links

  • Aids to Navigation Canadian Coast Guard
  • Official website for Cape Forchu Lightstation: http://www.capeforchu.com
  • Cape Forchu info from Yarmouth.org
  • Cape Forchu Lighthouse info from Lorneslights.com
  • Aids to Navigation Canadian Coast Guard
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